Sam Worthington called Lara Bingle ‘wife’ during paparazzo bust-up

Australian actor Sam Worthington has sparked rumors he is secretly married to model Lara Bingle after he called her his wife during an altercation with a paparazzo in New York City on Sunday.

The “Avatar” star was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly punching photographer Sheng Li outside a bar in Manhattan, after the snapper allegedly kicked Bingle.

Video footage of the incident was posted online on Tuesday, and Worthington can be heard yelling, “You want to [bleep] kick my wife?”

Just days before the incident, the Australian couple sparked marriage rumours when they were spotted wearing matching wedding bands on their ring fingers.

Worthington was released from police custody on Sunday and is due back in court at a later date, while Li was charged with assault, reckless endangerment and harassment, and was released on Monday. The snapper is due to appear in court in April.